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On Friday, June 2, the Aquarium will close at 3pm (last entry at 2pm) for our Splash! fundraiser.
Join us for Splash!

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Birds and Shores

Take a stroll through the shores of the coastal Northwest

This beautiful open-air exhibit highlights habitats along the rough and rocky shorelines of Puget Sound, and the many species of birds that can be found there. As you walk through it, you’ll have a chance to closely observe the daily routines of many species of often-reclusive birds. And, because the exhibit is open to the air, you’ll also be able to breathe in the scent of Puget Sound, just outside, and feel the fresh breeze on your face.

The habitats on display offer you a chance to learn how shorebirds use their unique features to live and thrive together. You can watch as alcids make their signature dives, laugh at the busy antics of tufted puffins, and see common murres dipping below the surface to search for food along the exhibit’s jagged bottom. Above the waterline are rocky cliffs where the birds can burrow or nest in small caves or narrow ledges, just as they would in the wild during breeding months.

In addition to birds, this exhibit is also home to many species of fish and invertebrates found in Northwest shoreline habitats, including rockfish, sea anemones, sea stars, sea urchins and others.

Common Murre

These diving birds are able to plunge up to 350–400 feet.

Other Exhibits

Paddle carving artist Sx̱aałg̱én carving a wooden paddle at the Seattle Aquarium.
Artists in Action

The Seattle Aquarium honors our location in the traditional and contemporary territories of the Coast Salish people, who have stewarded these lands and waters since time immemorial. As part of our Artists in Action series, paddle carvers from Indigenous communities, both here at home and across the ocean, will create art pieces that will be displayed in our new Ocean Pavilion, opening in 2024. 

Underwater dome exhibit
Underwater Dome

Be surrounded by Puget Sound's sea life!

Grunt sculpin
Puget Sound Fish

Get to know the fascinating fish of Puget Sound